( witches are bad news. he could tell her that. he trusts her up to a point, but she's right that neither of them have a reason to go after the other one. and he hasn't hunted or been on a job in over five years. there are no jobs when every day becomes about surviving what comes next.
if he entertained the thought, and thought back to who he was at one time.
if he could hold down any job besides pool sharking and stealing identities, why wouldn't it be a bar. he would be good at it. he has the personality. he could totally get a bachelorette party of girls to do shots with him. he'd make some bar a lot of money. and himself.
but he had his work. jobs. )
It's a job. Keeps me occupied. ( his mind, his hands. ) As good a place as any.
( he's not against more odd construction jobs, but he also doesn't have the capital, does he? )
Hunting's not something you forget how to do. But, eventually, those skills - they shifted into survival skills. And those aren't getting me any cash.
( what also feels true is that he's only told her part of the answer, just enough to give to a witch that he doesn't trust. which is why she doesn't press. there's no telling that the more would be satisfactory )
I... work in a shop. ( which still feels like an unlikely thing to her. customer service? so not her thing.
and yet-- )
The owner was looking for advice. When we spoke I didn't think that I would take it, though it was the shop itself that convinced me over her.
( it's a small comfort. he's always liked alcohol. and it's not busy during his shifts, so it gives him the solitude he needs right now. but, no, he doesn't say any of that out loud, does he? )
Let me guess. Magic.
( or, quaint Scottish trinkets. but, he's not about to snark that hard.
( there's a little tip of her head like naturally )
It's current owner knows very little about magic. Though the witch who used to own it...
( the smile that rowena gives is one of a little excitement, a little lusting over the faint spells that she'd still felt there, the power this witch must have. except it wasn't really about her power but the magic she would have known and perhaps a witch to talk to, to share something with. something she's always failed to do well before )
It's usually quiet there, not so many visit it. But it gives me opportunities to do what I need to.
( peruse the books there, prepare any hex bags or spells she might need. or contemplate )
( he doesn't love the expression she takes on, following her twinge of excitement she feels. he doesn't say anything about it, letting her have her moment.
sounds like they have it in common, the quiet, the solitude. )
( she pauses to sip, and the answer that comes from her is genuine. magic is at least a conversation topic that she's more willing to do that on... for as long as someone is willing to listen )
Most of the magic you've seen has been for a purpose, whether you've used it or a witch has. But... there are aspects of it that you wouldn't know, and regrettably not something every witch would follow.
( especially younger witches. maybe it's her age, maybe it's when she studied, maybe it's why )
There are traditions that have become part of my practice over my life. Some of that time I use to make those preparations.
( the pause she gives here is in debate of whether she should elaborate more, to clarify those intentions or not. she hopes for not )
( there's a simplicity and tradition in it he can respect, hesitant to ask about what the preparations would be for. they will still keep what they want back, that is their rights.
he checks his list again, looking up from it.
if she's going to be here, maybe she can help. makes the task go by faster which means more idle thought time, but also, it means more drinking time. he could do with both. )
( those traditions and practices had never left her but here, and over the last couple of years, but she'd certainly had other distractions. now her focus was more on a simpler practice, of building her life, learning what she wanted of magic rather than focusing on survival by any means. she'd found more of a settled existence.
she looks up at his question, a flicker of surprise in her expression and rowena's instinctual response is to say no. but she doesn't, giving a moment of pause )
( she looks at it for another moment before holding her hand out for it. she can write... and maybe she'll suggest a couple of bottles that aren't on the stock list for flavour )
I won't ask you to pay me.
( the driest joke, and once the pen is in her hand she looks at him expectantly, writing down anything that he says to her. sometimes with a little commentary on it )
( it's - well, nice isn't a word he'd use these days, but it is. it's routine and she's good at writing down what he'll need to grab. he pulls the bottles from within earshot first before pulling boxes from the back and unpacking them.
he shows her one of the bottles, passing it to her )
( if you wanted her preferences. there's just something about it. also maybe he'll find a couple of drinks on his list later that he had not said but she'd certainly suggested them. be a dear, dean )
I prefer it aged, with taste, and not regretting my choices.
(that is pure. she gets a tilt of the head for her acknowledgment and her taste. taste recognizes taste. )
You and me both.
( even younger, he had good taste in bourbon. when he could. he could talk himself into anything. in the apocalypse, it's whatever he could get his hands on, and really more for the crew, than him.
beers were always easy and local though. so pre-apocalypse, he was a beer guy. )
( she recognised that look, smiling a little at it. whilst she did know that dean appreciated a good drink it's certainly nice to feel appreciated too )
Well, I know who to ask for a good drink.
( him, either at their apartments or at this bar. which would most likely become a bar she visited more than any other. when she chose it )
Even if the conversation isn't what you'd want from your bartender.
( her tone is still light, enough that he should recognise that she's teasing. baby steps on trying to friendly joke with him )
A therapist? Is that what you're supposed to be in this little job?
( a light chuckle. that certainly wasn't what she used her bartenders for, she didn't do that kind of opening up, but she probably wouldn't tap him for what she usually used them for either. minus information )
I never understood the "opening your soul to a stranger" that you hear from most drunks in these places.
( or, one person. maybe it was the opposite, maybe he tried for wisdom. isn't that the cliche though? )
Me neither. More people should play it close to the vest.
( well, unless it really counts. if you can tell a big difference between the dean's, it's probably this. the impersonalization. the get out of my face, i'm so tired and can't handle anyone else's shit. cause is shoulder it all.
but he remembers slipping into the worst of people's lives and getting them to open up. to help. that was hunting, too. )
Close, not-- ( she circles a slightly accusative finger in his direction, wiggling it at him before lowering her hand to drink more of her whiskey. you know what she means, dean )
Though many people also lack the nuance of pulling off intrigue.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2024-10-14 08:43 pm (UTC)if he entertained the thought, and thought back to who he was at one time.
if he could hold down any job besides pool sharking and stealing identities, why wouldn't it be a bar. he would be good at it. he has the personality. he could totally get a bachelorette party of girls to do shots with him. he'd make some bar a lot of money. and himself.
but he had his work. jobs. )
It's a job. Keeps me occupied. ( his mind, his hands. ) As good a place as any.
( he's not against more odd construction jobs, but he also doesn't have the capital, does he? )
Hunting's not something you forget how to do. But, eventually, those skills - they shifted into survival skills. And those aren't getting me any cash.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-14 08:48 pm (UTC)( what also feels true is that he's only told her part of the answer, just enough to give to a witch that he doesn't trust. which is why she doesn't press. there's no telling that the more would be satisfactory )
I... work in a shop. ( which still feels like an unlikely thing to her. customer service? so not her thing.
and yet-- )
The owner was looking for advice. When we spoke I didn't think that I would take it, though it was the shop itself that convinced me over her.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-14 08:53 pm (UTC)Let me guess. Magic.
( or, quaint Scottish trinkets. but, he's not about to snark that hard.
he returns to his glass, taking another sip. )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-14 08:58 pm (UTC)It's current owner knows very little about magic. Though the witch who used to own it...
( the smile that rowena gives is one of a little excitement, a little lusting over the faint spells that she'd still felt there, the power this witch must have. except it wasn't really about her power but the magic she would have known and perhaps a witch to talk to, to share something with. something she's always failed to do well before )
It's usually quiet there, not so many visit it. But it gives me opportunities to do what I need to.
( peruse the books there, prepare any hex bags or spells she might need. or contemplate )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-14 09:00 pm (UTC)sounds like they have it in common, the quiet, the solitude. )
And what's that?
no subject
Date: 2024-10-14 09:11 pm (UTC)Most of the magic you've seen has been for a purpose, whether you've used it or a witch has. But... there are aspects of it that you wouldn't know, and regrettably not something every witch would follow.
( especially younger witches. maybe it's her age, maybe it's when she studied, maybe it's why )
There are traditions that have become part of my practice over my life. Some of that time I use to make those preparations.
( the pause she gives here is in debate of whether she should elaborate more, to clarify those intentions or not. she hopes for not )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-14 10:46 pm (UTC)( there's a simplicity and tradition in it he can respect, hesitant to ask about what the preparations would be for. they will still keep what they want back, that is their rights.
he checks his list again, looking up from it.
if she's going to be here, maybe she can help. makes the task go by faster which means more idle thought time, but also, it means more drinking time. he could do with both. )
You want to give me a hand?
no subject
Date: 2024-10-15 06:23 pm (UTC)( those traditions and practices had never left her but here, and over the last couple of years, but she'd certainly had other distractions. now her focus was more on a simpler practice, of building her life, learning what she wanted of magic rather than focusing on survival by any means. she'd found more of a settled existence.
she looks up at his question, a flicker of surprise in her expression and rowena's instinctual response is to say no. but she doesn't, giving a moment of pause )
Doing what exactly?
( information before agreement )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-16 12:56 am (UTC)he gives her a flat look, turning the check holder around so she can see the bottle names and numbers. )
I gotta restock. It'll go faster if we both do it. ( that way they both get... ) More conversation time.
( more trust is built, so-to-speak.
and in this case, more drinking. )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-17 08:56 pm (UTC)I won't ask you to pay me.
( the driest joke, and once the pen is in her hand she looks at him expectantly, writing down anything that he says to her. sometimes with a little commentary on it )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-18 01:29 pm (UTC)he shows her one of the bottles, passing it to her )
Apparently, this stuff is like 300 proof.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-18 04:41 pm (UTC)Have you tried it?
( death or being knocked on your ass. she's not certain which would be more likely )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 10:25 am (UTC)( he had a lot to hold up. )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 05:45 pm (UTC)Well, I suppose I can expect the outcome without needing to experience it.
( she picks the pen back up in case there's anything else he wants to add )
And stronger doesn't necessarily mean to taste.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 05:53 pm (UTC)( all stronger, all awful. though, he can get down with some backwoods hooch if it's all he has. )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 05:59 pm (UTC)( and that as poor as she grew up she certainly couldn't afford anything good then. she's seen moonshine. hooch. really bad scotch )
I've known some poor alcohol in my time.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 06:03 pm (UTC)( what a thing to say, though? )
You like it pure?
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 06:21 pm (UTC)( if you wanted her preferences. there's just something about it. also maybe he'll find a couple of drinks on his list later that he had not said but she'd certainly suggested them. be a dear, dean )
I prefer it aged, with taste, and not regretting my choices.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 07:48 pm (UTC)You and me both.
( even younger, he had good taste in bourbon. when he could. he could talk himself into anything. in the apocalypse, it's whatever he could get his hands on, and really more for the crew, than him.
beers were always easy and local though. so pre-apocalypse, he was a beer guy. )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 07:57 pm (UTC)Well, I know who to ask for a good drink.
( him, either at their apartments or at this bar. which would most likely become a bar she visited more than any other. when she chose it )
Even if the conversation isn't what you'd want from your bartender.
( her tone is still light, enough that he should recognise that she's teasing. baby steps on trying to friendly joke with him )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 08:00 pm (UTC)( and they can both afford it. his tone chides her back, but stays playful )
Hey, lady. We're not open yet. You want customer service, come back when I clock in as your therapist.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 08:05 pm (UTC)( a light chuckle. that certainly wasn't what she used her bartenders for, she didn't do that kind of opening up, but she probably wouldn't tap him for what she usually used them for either. minus information )
I never understood the "opening your soul to a stranger" that you hear from most drunks in these places.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 08:10 pm (UTC)( or, one person. maybe it was the opposite, maybe he tried for wisdom. isn't that the cliche though? )
Me neither. More people should play it close to the vest.
( well, unless it really counts. if you can tell a big difference between the dean's, it's probably this. the impersonalization. the get out of my face, i'm so tired and can't handle anyone else's shit. cause is shoulder it all.
but he remembers slipping into the worst of people's lives and getting them to open up. to help. that was hunting, too. )
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 08:17 pm (UTC)Though many people also lack the nuance of pulling off intrigue.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-20 08:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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